Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in San Francisco and Oakland

What Makes San Francisco and Oakland Different

Fog and cool damp air keep many Bay Area homes wetter than people expect. On the foggy west side of San Francisco and near the water, walls, closets and bathrooms can stay damp for much of the year, and mold grows on cold outside walls. Run bathroom fans and keep air moving in closets and rooms that smell musty.

Much of the housing is old. Victorian and Edwardian homes, older apartment buildings and early 20th century bungalows may have lead paint, old knob and tube wiring, galvanized pipes and asbestos in flooring, plaster or pipe wrap. Test before you cut into walls. Winter storms from the Pacific can bring days of heavy rain, and low neighborhoods can take water when drains back up. San Francisco’s sewer carries storm water and sewage together, so a backup is sewage.

Earthquakes are always a risk here. Strap the water heater, and know where the gas and water shutoffs are. The Oakland and Berkeley hills also carry wildfire risk, and the Oakland hills fire of 1991 is a reminder of how fast fire moves there. Hillside homes can see mud and runoff in heavy rain.